Makerspace: a crafter's dream!

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I have to confess: I have a walk-in closet full of crafting supplies. It's grown from a small tote, to a couple large totes, to an entire closet filled with glitter, clothespins, popsicle sticks, tissue paper, hot glue guns, sequins, pipe cleaners, beads ... you name it ... I could probably find it!

So, when I read about makerspace on Twitter about two years ago, I decided to jump right in. This is a crafter's dream come true! Who ever thought I could share my love of craft projects at school as a librarian?

I had lots of practice crafting with my own children. In fact, they were the ones who got me started with crafting. They are creative and visual, and would have wonderful ideas but needed me to get the supplies for them. We would go to the store, get the items they needed, and then I'd stand back and watch them create. It was absolutely awe-inspiring ... the things they could make using cotton batting, paper plates, glue and a scissor!

                                                         My son with one of his first projects.
                                                      
So, it should not come as a surprise that my students would be the same, given the opportunity to create. They did not disappoint!

The library makerspace operates during lunch recess. Students have about 20 minutes to participate in the craft, challenge or activity of the day. Some of the past projects include: bookmarks, fuse bead creations, pipe cleaner creations, origami, holiday ornaments, popsicle stick harmonicas, hoop gliders and clay creations.

                                                          A student's fuse bead creation.
         
The response to makerspace has been very positive! Students ask about it from the first day of school until the last. They love creating and making things, which they don't always do other places. The closet or cupboard full of craft supplies has taken a back seat to technology, and that makes makerspace opportunities more important than ever.

The projects and activities we do are easy and simple, but I hope the lessons learned will last a lifetime ... patience, appreciation, perseverance. My students shine in makerspace, and that makes this crafter so very happy!
I have been in the field of education since 1993, when I first started as a middle school home economics teacher. I spent three years as a classroom teacher, then decided to pursue my library credential. I spent 13 years as a school librarian. Looking for a new challenge, I earned my master's degree and principal credential. I am currently an elementary principal, starting year two.

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